Liseli Machili, a 27-year-old, resides in Choto Compound in the Zambezi region alongside her mother, siblings and her young daughter.
Her inspiring journey of empowerment began with DREAMS.
In 2020, she joined DREAMS at a community safe space facilitated by a Community Care Worker, who is also her neighbour and became her mentor.
Through DREAMS, she received vital education on HIV prevention, gender-based violence (GBV) protection, as well as financial literacy, employability and entrepreneurship skills.
Supported by Project Hope Namibia, she pursued vocational training in joinery and cabinet-making at the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre.
Following her training, she secured an internship through a Public-Private Partnership at Zambezi Autoplus, where she honed her joinery skills under mentorship.
“With newfound expertise, I launched my own business, crafting wooden doors, chairs and tables, which I sell within my community. My entrepreneurial spirit has led me to earn approximately N$30 000 monthly, sourcing timber locally to sustain my growing enterprise. Utilising financial literacy gained from DREAMS, I also established a cash loan business, further enhancing my financial stability to support my family,” she said.
Grateful for the support she received, she acknowledges that DREAMS not only empowered her with life-saving knowledge, but also provided her with opportunities to thrive.
Her achievements include her mother’s generous gift of a residential plot, where she is now building her own home, and planning to formally register her business.
Encouraging other Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) to enrol in similar programmes, she emphasised their transformative impact.
She calls upon Project Hope Namibia to continue its invaluable support for AGYW across Namibia.
She expresses heartfelt gratitude to the management and staff of Project Hope Namibia in Katima Mulilo, and acknowledges PEPFAR’s support through USAID, which made her journey possible.
“This is life-changing for me. I’m able to do things for myself. I’m grateful to DREAMS, as the journey was not easy, but I made it. If you want to do something, go for it. Do not give up – and be open for new opportunities, and learn new things every day. That way, you can improve,” she said.
-priscillamukokobi@gmail.com
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